Saint-Georges-de-Mons lies on a crystalline plateau at an average altitude of 715 metres. The municipality covers 3,500 hectares and is crossed by small valleys. The most important is the Viouze Valley. To the west, the municipality borders the Sioule Gorges; to the east, the Chaîne des Puys. You can explore this landscape from different perspectives on circular routes: the trails vary considerably in length and walking time.
Circular Routes in the Viouze Valley and Beyond
The Vallon de la Viouze route leads from Saint-Georges-de-Mons through the Viouze Valley; the Viouze flows into the Sioule. Along the way, there are views of the Fades Dam and the Fades Viaduct, built in 1909. The circular hike is 17 kilometres long, takes 5 hours and 30 minutes, and is marked in green. The route’s car park is on the D19 in Saint-Georges-de-Mons, near the stadium and the Super U.
Les 3 étangs is the shorter of the two circular hikes described: it is 13 kilometres long, takes 3 hours and 45 minutes, and is marked in yellow. It starts on Avenue de La Libération, near Saint-Georges-de-Mons town hall. Along the way, the route passes the Rouissoirs des Bruyères, known as rouissoirs, or retting ponds. This gives you two clearly different time commitments to choose from when planning your day, with different trail markings and starting points.
Another option in the Vallon de la Viouze is the Cascade du Moulin de Pagès. It is in the hamlet of Feuillade, within the municipality, and is easy to reach on foot from there. The walk to the waterfall is easy, but includes a slight incline. This makes it a different kind of outing from the longer circular hikes. If you are planning several walks, you can take their stated walking times and starting points into account when planning your day.
Water and Activities with Age Requirements
The Centre Aquatique Combrailles Sioule et Morge has a large pool measuring 25 by 12.5 metres and a smaller pool measuring 6 by 12.5 metres. There is a paddling pool for children under six; the slide and catch pool are intended for children aged six and over. The age requirements clearly distinguish between the two children’s facilities. The centre also offers aquabiking and aqua jogging year-round, except during the summer holidays. Keep this restriction in mind if you would like to include either activity in your stay.
Seasonal Fruit and Farm Products
Les Petits Fruits des Volcans is an organic grower of soft fruit. Depending on the season, visitors can pick fruit themselves in the field, by prior reservation. The farm sells fresh and processed products directly on site. These include blueberries, strawberries and redcurrants, as well as jams, coulis, compotes and syrups. Velvety soups, herbal teas and honey produced on the farm are also available. Seasonal pick-your-own and farm sales are two separate options: prior reservation is required for picking your own fruit.
Choosing a Hotel and Planning Your Day
If you are looking for a hotel in Saint-Georges-de-Mons, your planned route can be a useful starting point for choosing one. Les 3 Ă©tangs starts near the town hall, while a car park on the D19 is indicated for the Vallon de la Viouze route. When planning, check which starting points suit your intended outings. Walking times can also help you decide: Les 3 Ă©tangs takes 3 hours and 45 minutes, while the Vallon de la Viouze circular hike takes 5 hours and 30 minutes.
Discover more destinations: Orcines, Chastreix, Vertolaye, Issoire, Fournols, Pontaumur, Parent, Ceyrat
For the broader travel overview: Puy-De-DĂ´me.
